Queen's Park Academy launches consultation on joining Advantage Schools Trust

It hopes the move would increase the capacity of the school
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Queen's Park Academy has launched a consultation on joining the Advantage Schools Trust.

Governors at the school are consulting with staff, families and community members in the area with a view to joining the Trust.

It is hoped the move would increase the capacity of the school - allowing it to provide a better service to local families.

The school is inviting people to have their say in the consultation processThe school is inviting people to have their say in the consultation process
The school is inviting people to have their say in the consultation process

It would also create a meaningful, formal partnership between three of Bedford's schools - with Advantage Schools currently running Bedford Free School - graded Outstanding by Ofsted - and Elstow School, which was rated Good by Ofsted.

Chair of Governors at Queen’s Park Academy, Rob Robson, said: “Over the last few years, we have been looking to form a strong partnership that will allow us to move the school to the next level, to continue the excellent pastoral care for which the school is renowned as well as really driving standards, providing extra opportunities and an even wider service to the local community.

"Our teachers and leaders do a great job, and we believe that becoming part of the Advantage Schools family will enable us to work together to achieve the best provision for our pupils and their families.

"We looked at several Academy Trusts over the course of an extended period of time. With Advantage Schools we found an organisation that matches our values, is ambitious for our pupils, but respects the unique nature and context of our school and community.

"We hope and expect that the community will support us in making this transition work so that our pupils receive an even better quality of education.”

Headteacher at Queen’s Park Academy, Emma Bolton, added: “I am hugely optimistic about this proposal.

"Having visited both Bedford Free School and Elstow School and worked with various members of the team, I can see that there is lots that we can do together to become even better.

"I believe this will include: providing support for our most vulnerable learners, developing teachers and enhancing provision across the school sites.

"If this proposal goes ahead, my firm belief is that pupils and families will see the school improve to become an even better school. A school which is excellent. Our children deserve the very best, and this is a sizable move on our journey to ensuring that we give them everything they deserve.”

Chief Executive of Advantage Schools, Stuart Lock, said, “We have really enjoyed the three schools working in partnership to provide education for pupils during the challenges presented by the pandemic.

"I have loved visiting Queen’s Park Academy and meeting the pupils and staff, and I can see so much potential in the school. We hope for support from officials at the Department for

Education and the Education and Skills Funding Agency so that all three schools can work very closely together and benefit from a wider pool of expertise."

Members of the community who want to respond to the consultation can do by emailing [email protected].